About Us

Our research group investigates how materials evolve on atomic- and nano-length scales as they change from one form to another. In particular, we use real-time x-ray techniques to examine structural evolution during phase transitions, thin film growth, and surface processes.

Many of our experiments utilize the high brightness of accelerator-based x-ray sources, such as the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island and the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory outside of Chicago.

We have been particularly active in pushing forward the application of the coherent x-ray scattering technique of X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS). Where possible, our research makes contact with fundamental theory and simulation. In the last few years, our detailed interest has been in three directions – understanding surface and thin film processes, studying the relationship between atomic structure and function in solid oxide fuel cell cathodes, and examining the structure of molten salts of interest for energy applications.